Corbin teaches

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Corbin delivers an exceptional lesson experience and ranks in the top
15% of our teachers nationwide.

Teaches students:

and Ages 5+

Teaching since:

June 2011

Chicago based freelance saxophonist Corbin A. is a dynamic youthful voice amongst the Second City music scene. Originally from Decatur, IL, Corbin moved to Chicago in 2007 to attend DePaul University. There he studied improvisation privately with Mark Colby, Bob Palmieri, Ron Perrillo, and Kelly Sill, as well as composition with Tom Matta. These led to performances with Jeff Hamilton, Phil Woods, Tim Ries, Ira Sullivan, Jimmy Heath, John Fedchock, and Randy Brecker. After achieving his bachelor of music in 2011, Corbin was accepted to pursue a Master’s degree in Jazz Composition from DePaul.
As a bandleader, Corbin just recorded his debut album “Accidently On Purpose” which released on January 1st 2013. This group performs throughout the Chicago area in venues such as Andy’s Jazz Club, Martyr’s, the Drake Hotel, and Lilly’s. As a sideman, he performs with a slew of different ensembles including Bumpus, Greg Duncan’s Latin Ensemble, M13, Joe Clark Big Band, Ryan Adamsons’ Medium Ensemble, Ian Torres Big Band, Nootka Sound, Rich Daniels “City Lights Orchestra”, Billy Wolfe, and The Tommy Dorsey Big Band.
In addition to jazz, Corbin is also active among the funk and rock scene in Chicago. He travels throughout the U.S. with Chicago funk/soul legend James Johnston and Bumpus. Through James, Corbin has performed with Syl Johnson, J.C. Brooks and the Uptown Sound, Clip-Art, Terrible Spaceship, Brother Joscephus & the Love Revolution, The Right Now, J-Livi & the Party, Afro-Zep as well as many other studio projects.
Mr. A. is also a very capable doubler on clarinet and flute. He teaches woodwinds privately from his home studio, as well as at Kagan & Gaines Music.
You can hear him on Corbin A.’s “Accidently On Purpose”, Joe Clark Big Band feat. Jeff Hamilton “LUSH”, Greg Duncan’s “Chicago, Barcelona Connections”, and Ian Torres “January.” Otherwise, Corbin leads one of the busiest jam sessions in Chicago at Lilly’s every Wednesday night and was recently nominated for the Chicago Music Awards “Jazz Entertainer of the Year.

You know a great teacher when there is no fixed plan of lessons but you work exactly on things that you need the most.

Suzanne L.
Dec 4, 2015

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He was fantastic! Very supportive and motivating. Challenged my son in new areas. Definitely recommend!

Miguel
Nov 1, 2015

Saxophone·Online

Our son is a beginning sax player and has really enjoyed working with Corbin. The lessons are well structured and have been extremely helpful with getting my son comfortable with his instrument. If my son relied solely on his band class at school he would be way behind where he is at right now.

I was skeptical how lessons via Skype would work out. The format actually works great! We are rurally located, so any other way to get lessons would be difficult. So now, 1x per week my son is able to connect with Corbin...technology really is pretty awesome.

My son looks forward to each lesson! So, it's 5-stars from him as well.

Our son is a beginning sax player and has really enjoyed working with Corbin. The lessons are well structured and have been extremely helpful with getting my son comfortable with his instrument. If my son relied solely on his band class at school he would be way behind where he is at right now.

I was skeptical how lessons via Skype would work out. The format actually works great! We are rurally located, so any other way to get lessons would be difficult. So now, 1x per week my son is able to connect with Corbin...technology really is pretty awesome.

My son looks forward to each lesson! So, it's 5-stars from him as well.

Corbin is great. I have learned about 3 songs and three scales. I've learned 10 notes and Corbin has made it so that I can read notes and I am having a lot of fun. I want to keep playing too. Thank you Corbin. From N.

Corbin is a GREAT teacher. Each lesson he pushed my son to progress and made it fun. My son learned more in the last four weeks than all of last year in music class/band at school. Corbin really knows his stuff and how to work with kids. When your child wants to sign up for more lessons you know its been a good experience. We will definitely be signing up for more lessons and referring friends!. Thank you Corbin!

Great first lesson. We went over a lot of material and set goals for the next lesson. Corbin is clearly very knowledgeable about the saxophone and music theory. He provides clear instructions while allowing the student the benefit of discovery. I'm looking forward to future lessons.

Corbin is friendly, professional, and very knowledgeable about both minute technical aspects of saxophone technique as well as general musicality. I was quite picky in trying to find a saxophone instructor as I already have a BA in Music and wanted someone to help hone my skills in preparation for graduate studies. And I'm happy to say that Corbin is a great teacher and really knows his stuff!

Best instructor! My son is 6 years old and is my very picky/difficult child. He looks so forward to Corbin coming and teaching him piano. Corbin is patient and knows when to reign my son in to pay attention and when to just let him experiment with music and have some freedom. I highly recommend him!

I have a lot of experience playing saxophone from highschool and I'd been a few years without playing. Corbin was great at reintroducing me to the exact concepts I'd been hoping to learn, definitely would recommend.

Lisa W.
Mar 31, 2015

Saxophone·In home

Corbin has been an ideal teacher for our 10 year old son. Our son has learned several songs from a book as well as parts of "Beat It." Michael Jackson is his favorite musician. That was in the first lesson and this rigor has continued with this energy for all five lessons. Corbin pushes him, supports and recognizes his efforts, and talks to him about other interests too. No dull moments. We are thrilled this is going so well.

Our 10 year old son has taken three lessons with Corbin, and loves the lessons. We are impressed with how much is taught in such a short amount of time and how our son is retaining all of it. He is reading music, playing songs, and enjoying it all.

Felicia C.
Jan 27, 2015

Saxophone·In studio

Great teacher, personable, patient, expert musician. I recommend for students of all ages. I already know other instruments and music theory but I can see his teaching skills would be great for a total beginner as well.

Suzanne L.
Jan 26, 2015

Saxophone·In home

Corbin has started teaching our 10 year old saxophone. Our son had a little bit of experience and Corbin has kept the enthusiasm going. Lessons are a lot of fun and motivating.

Marc P.
Dec 19, 2014

Saxophone·In studio

I had only had limited time to learn everything from scratch about the Saxophone. Corbin did an amazing job at bringing me up to speed in 5 lessons and giving me the essential tools to be autonomous. I can already play any tune (as long as it's simple still) and am improving my technique daily.

Great teacher, friendly and awesome player. Would recommend without reservation!